Warranty Issues

[GaryB]

I have just had a major kick in the wallet - a gearbox rebuild and while it was apart the garage found an issue with the intercooler; not a great deal of change from £5k.
The main reason for my post is to warn drivers about third party warranties. My warranty was with Motorcare and was a lifetime (as long as I had the vehicle) Gilt warranty; this basically meant it covered everything - or nothing as I discovered.
I found out that I had a gearbox problem and so I promtly followed the instructions regarding claiming detailed in my little blue and yellow handbook. I contacted the company, gave them my policy number and told him of my predicament; to my amazement he informed me that my lifetime warranty had expired (funny I thought as I'm sure I was still breathing). It transpired; however, that somewhere on page 12 of my book (not in the terms and conditions, I hasten to add) it says that I have to contact the company every 12 months to tell them that I still indeed wanted my warranty. I have a complaint going through at present, but I won't hold my breath - so please be very careful when accepting your third party warranty.

[DAylward]

sorry to hear your news mate.Luckily for me i have a warranty direct policy which is monthly payment by DD until such time as i cancel it and it covers everything...PHEW

[mrmule]

so what do they say when you ask them how you are supposed to know something that isnt in their general terms and conditions?

[ollys]

I have just had a major kick in the wallet - a gearbox rebuild and while it was apart the garage found an issue with the intercooler; not a great deal of change from £5k.
The main reason for my post is to warn drivers about third party warranties. My warranty was with Motorcare and was a lifetime (as long as I had the vehicle) Gilt warranty; this basically meant it covered everything - or nothing as I discovered.
I found out that I had a gearbox problem and so I promtly followed the instructions regarding claiming detailed in my little blue and yellow handbook. I contacted the company, gave them my policy number and told him of my predicament; to my amazement he informed me that my lifetime warranty had expired (funny I thought as I'm sure I was still breathing). It transpired; however, that somewhere on page 12 of my book (not in the terms and conditions, I hasten to add) it says that I have to contact the company every 12 months to tell them that I still indeed wanted my warranty. I have a complaint going through at present, but I won't hold my breath - so please be very careful when accepting your third party warranty.

I had a nightmare with Motorcare - they were downright rude to me as well.

I hope you get it sorted.

Olly

[GaryB]

The guy I spoke to had it off-pat he new the page number, paragraph and line that the book mentions the annual renewal. They all know that everybody puts it away and only gets it out when something goes wrong.

A similar thing happened before I had the suspension done, the DRC went and they sent an inspector that had "been in the motor trade for 40 years" and he claimed the seals had gone due to wear and tear. My guess is that he'd never seen an engine like that before in his mark 2 Ford Cortina.

On the positive side I have a spectacular car now, with all the major issues done and dusted. Plan to sell and hopefully shouldn't have too many problems finding a buyer.

[philroach]

if its that spectacular , why sell it ? keep it and enjoy it ?

[GaryB]

Since I have had the car I have enjoyed driving more than I have ever done before, however I do a lot of company miles and the mileage allowance barely covers the cost of the fuel; and it certainly doesn't cover the wear and tear.
I'm going to enjoy it for another month, put some new tyres on it and then, reluctantly sell. Apart from anything else my missus still thinks there's something wrong with the exhaust, (what a sound!!) and doesn't understand the reason why I have had such a car.

[LondonRS6]

Hi GaryB i am also with Motorcare , gilt policy - lifetime ownership, not to pour cold water but they make it pretty clear that you need to go through a free annual renewal process where you need to present service stamp, copy of the service bill and inform them you still own the car. maybe it is unfair as it weeds out policy holders who genuinely forget to renewal. Also how else is the insurer going to know who if the car is being properly service as per the schedule.

They usually send out a renewal reminder card - ask if they sent one if so where and when?
I think you are doing the right thing as per the complaint.. they are reasonable in their deals.

I have had good dealing with this Co - they are quick to sign off work as long as your docs/ forms are in good order. I have had DRC repaired , maf, parking senors and TMPS repair through them.

May i suggest you talk to Clifton - fyi i think he is retiring soon on clifton@motorcarewarranties.co.uk

[GaryB]

Thanks for that I will definitely email your man and see what he says; you are right about the policy (apart from the reminder cards - mabe a later addition as they have changed insurers in the last 2 years). My other half works in commercial insurance and as it is not perfectly clear (in my hand book anyway; again they have changed this recently), the FSA will have something to say - but insurers are the same the world over; the first person you speak to are employed and paid to put a lot of potential claimants off.

[LondonRS6]

always got the reminder cards, i have been with them since i bgt my car 4yrs ago, fyi it is the underwriter who keeps changing - - which is annoying, motorcare have always been the administrator....
Always push back , they initially flaked on the DRC only to come back after i wrote a letter to them saying i would proceed to the omsbudman if they didnt act in a fair fashion - Rob at Camberley was very helpful - I personally dont think underwriters understand the potential money pits these cars can be if something major goes wrong.
I like you bit their hand off when i was offered a warranty for the life of vehicle ownership for sub £1k - it was a bargain... btw the lifetime ownership is now capped at 12yrs old vehicles....So we are not lifetime policy holders any longer....

[LondonRS6]

if clifton in the complaint dept has retired, try jonathan in renewals. jonathan@motorcaregroup.co.uk